Can you see me? 

Can you hear me?

I am standing right in front of you!

I am a human being! 

Why do you keep hurting me, when you know it isn’t right?

These are the cries of a people oppressed in America since the 17th century. The cries of a people whipped, chained, raped, emasculated, lynched, assassinated, fire-bombed, shot while jogging and choked to death. The cries of a people treated as chattel, a commodity for trade and barter.  The cries of a people never afforded their rightful seat at the big table in this country.

I am:✓ deeply grieving for George Floyd and his loved ones✓ outraged by his murder at the hands of peoplecommissioned to protect and serve✓ believing the perpetrators will be held accountable and justice will be done✓ disconcerted things like this keep happening over and over

I know many of you feel the same way I do about this situation.  Another horrible, senseless murder of a black man. The inhumanity of it all makes me sick inside and should make us all sick inside. I understand why people are marching in protest, burning, destroying, and making mayhem.  People have had enough and their rage has boiled over.  Can you see me now? Can you hear me now? The black community has tried to get your attention on this issue quietly and peacefully (See Colin Kaepernick et al.) and we see how far that got us, and what it cost that young man.  And 50 years ago, we witnessed what it cost Dr. King.

It’s deeply tempting to launch into another essay venting about our nation’s racist history, but I don’t believe that is what I am called to do at this juncture.  I have read many thoughtful, heartfelt posts and articles which touched my spirit, writings which I believe have brought awareness to people who were previously oblivious and desensitized.  I appreciate and applaud the authors for taking the time to passionately share their hearts and lend their voices to our chorus for justice. Today I am compelled to pledge my commitment to love, and this essay is an invitation for you to join me in that commitment, whether George Floyd’s death grieves you deeply or feels very much removed from your everyday experience.

We, your black American brothers and sisters appreciate and respect the righteous anger, sincere empathy, and caring moral support of our allies. But we need to ask you for something more.  We need you to love us better. We need your conviction. We need you to voice your support for us; for you to speak up loudly for all to hear.  We need you to stand by our side and make the demand for justice, because they just don’t listen to us.  We need you to work with us and follow through to bring true and lasting transformation to this country, the kind of transformation only love can produce.  

The United States of America should serve as a shining example and inspiration to the rest of the world.  In order for this to be accomplished my friends, we need for you to step up and show us that racism, discrimination and murder are no longer acceptable in this culture-because they are the antithesis of love. We need you to look into our faces, listen to our voices, and acknowledge our humanity. We need you to show your love for us without fear, condition, or reservation. 

Protests and marches can be stirring and very effective, but only for a season. Eyes turn to the fire, ears hear when the volume is turned up, and lights are shined into dark places. But when theseason of protest is over and with the passage of time, the voices become quieter, the fires wane and memories dim. And while there may be some slight adjustments, true and enduring transformation proves elusive. And what we need, what this country desperately needs is to evolve to be merciful, gracious, just, and loving with all of her people. These aren’t legal, political, social issues, these are heart and soul issues. And white America, we need you to stand with us in the battle to transform the heart & soul of this nation.

“What can I do?” you ask. “How can I contribute to this transformation?” It begins with one heart, yours. It begins with your love and the actions to which your heart calls you. Some of you may be called to be a foster parent, a big brother, or big sister; some of you may be called to political activism/agitation or public service, some of you may be educators, some of you may want to furnish healthcare or housing, others may be drawn to philanthropy or to start an organization to address inequities.  And if our public servants or elected officials fail us, hold them accountable for their actions and that includes them experiencing the consequences of their behavior and what comes out of their mouth. Whatever it is, do something.  

Although I may not see this transformation in my lifetime, I have complete trust in God’s love for His people. I believe His grace and mercy will usher in a new era, and people will rise up in love to restore faith, foster hope and bring His justice. America has done some fabulous things and continues to show promise, but racism is a stain which inhibits us from being a truly great nation.  It must be erased; it will be erased.  

The heartrending deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and all who were murdered before them, do, and will count for something.  We will transmute these tragedies into something good, something beautiful. We mourn these people, and offer our love and condolences to those who grieve their loss.  Andwe will honor their memories by coming together and walking this out; one step at a time, one day at a time, one heart at a time to initiate the transformation of this country.

Thank you, Blaire Baron and Mike Scolaro, I love you both. Keep doing what you’re doing. Thank you, Karen Hawkins, Bill Strotman, Anna Garvin, Craig Chval Sr., Mike Contorelli, and Spenser & Selina Hawkins, for helping me find my voice and inspiring me to write this. And thank you all for reading. If you are, or you know someone who is doing something to foster change in our nation, please let us know by sharing about these efforts in a comment on this post. It may serve to inspire and we would love to support these endeavors in any way we can.

Today I sat at The Grotto on the Notre Dame campus on cold, snowy day and basked in the warm, loving presence of Father God.

When I first walked up to this beautiful, beloved, holy place (My Dad’s favorite), I sought out a bench to regard the vistas, take a few pictures, and begin a conversation with Our Lord.

Everything was as usual. My heart was impassioned and my prayer was fervent, but as I lit 🔥 the candle 🕯 today, something was different. I felt the quiet and everything slowed down. Then it struck me; I was alone in The Grotto, alone with God, and we were sharing a moment. It felt beautifully special, a wrinkle in time He made just for us to enjoy. Many of you may not know this, but on any given Sunday ,The Grotto is usually bustling with activity as people visit the shrine going to and from mass at The Basilica.

Although it didn’t last very long, in that moment we shared, I felt God’s longing for not only communion with me, but with all mankind. God said to me in my spirit; “Stop, stay with me. Don’t move, sit quietly now, I want you to feel my love in every fiber of your being.” I breathed deeply & trembled as Holy Spirit washed over my body. I felt the truth & vibrance of God’s love. It was transcendent.

And then I did something we as humans do all too often. Instead of waiting patiently and letting the sweetness of the bonding run it’s course, I gave in to the overwhelming urge to capture the moment on my camera. And in that split second, the reverie ended, and a throng of people descended upon The Grotto.

I felt unsettled. I felt I gypped myself out of the “full meal deal” with God. But you know something? He was still right there. God guided me to the kneeler adjacent to the candles and said; “Don’t worry, it’s okay. I’m not going anywhere, I’ve got more for you. Kneel down and close your eyes. Don’t say a word and just let me hold you close.” So I knelt, closed my eyes and Holy Spirit washed over me again. In addition, this time I felt the warm, approving smile of Jesus, His hand upon my shoulder. I felt Papa God’s beaming pride in me. I was humbled, quietly kneeling with tears in my eyes, alone with God in a crowded Grotto… perfect.

So today I pray for you and yours to be quiet & still at some point this week, and for you all to bask in the joy and peaceful glow of God’s love. It will rejuvenate, refocus, affirm and renew your spirit. You are treasured, you are important, and you are beautiful in His sight.

And as always, the candle I lit at The Grotto is for all of the prayers and special intentions each of us holds dear. We welcome your requests as a comment on this post. It is our honor to join hearts with you in belief and prayer.

Peace and blessings upon you all. Much love,

Hawk

In my heart, my “mind’s eye”, in my spirit, I see a world in harmony, peaceful. An inclusive world of mercy, understanding, and acceptance. A world in which people are kind, patient, and give generously to each other without fear of being without. A world in which we hold ourselves accountable and gracefully accept the consequences of our actions. A world in which we sincerely apologize if we have done harm (Intentionally or unintentionally), repent of the behavior, are forgiven, and become reconciled to the other party. I believe in a world in which justice is served; definitive and decisive steps are taken to correct inequities. I believe this can happen, that we can enjoy the world I envision, and that we can experience real progress in this transformation during our lifetimes.

One of the main hurdles we have to overcome in order to achieve this glorious state of communion is to decide to reject the habit of allowing ourselves to be perpetually offended. As I have regarded the news and read through various posts on social networking platforms in recent months, my heart has become increasingly grieved by this phenomenon. It is truly astounding how proficient we have become at being profoundly offended by anyone whom does not agree with our point of view, the mistakes and choices people make, or differing perspectives on issues which ruffle our feathers.

My observation is that humanity (cultures/ethnicities/nations) has grown to embrace the spirit of offense so deeply we can’t pardon or forgive the ignorance or shortcomings of others. We have become so intransigent, we often refuse to even consider (let alone respect) the sensibilities and merits of another person’s point of view. Every day we witness judgment being chosen over mercy, disdain over tolerance, and dismissiveness over kindness. It appears this visceral, negative reaction has become reflexive; no thought required; no heart engaged. And this happens so frequently day after day we are desensitized to its toxicity; accepting that becoming offended, escalating tensions, and sowing discord as the norm.

I have come to see allowing ourselves to descend into the abyss of offense as an indulgence of our egos; ceding control of our thoughts, mouths & emotions to our fears, selfishness and even bigotry. We allow things like the words, actions and beliefs of others, political affiliations, and the circumstances (within or beyond our control) of our lives determine the state of our minds and affect our ability to empathize and relate to people who don’t look, think, speak, behave, or believe like us. And because misery loves company, we feel compelled to spread vitriol and share our offense to anyone online or within earshot.

Do you think we could change our world (homes/neighborhoods/communities/cities/states/nations) if we stopped complaining or vilifying publicly, and held our tongues? What might happen if we weren’t hypersensitive about words and issues, and didn’t jump down people’s throats for ignorance, misspeaking, or taking a misstep.

What if we showed people mercy (just as we would like to receive in the face of our own mistakes and oversights) instead of passing judgment? What if instead of laying on the horn, flipping the bird, cutting off, tailgating, or barking at the inconsiderate driver, we remained calm, peaceful and drove in a way to make the environment as safe as we can for the other people on the road? What if we stopped posting pictures of other people’s gaffes and peccadilloes, and instead focused our time on chronicling, photographing & praising kindness, generosity, and the good works people do?

What if we refrained from putting expectations on other people and crucifying them when they fall short? What if we asked questions and sought to understand rather than passing judgment, criticizing and pontificating? What if we loved our neighbor as we love ourselves?

The really wonderful revelation is that we can accomplish this and change the world, one person, one heart at a time, beginning with the person we see in the mirror… I have postured my heart to look at my brothers and sisters on this earth with empathy and love, and dedicated myself to speaking life into people and situations. I do my best to embrace mercy over judgment, tolerance over criticism, and share what I have without fear of lack. I am by no means perfect in this effort, but I succeed many more times than I fail. It is a resolve, a commitment to freeing my heart, elevating the quality of my relationships, and transforming the environments in which I function.

The spirit of offense is a persistent cancer in our world, and together we can attack and eradicate it. With loving spirits, we can change our thoughts, words, and actions, which in turn can heal our culture, one heart at a time.

Will you join me?

As the season of Lent became imminent, I began pondering the true purpose of these 40 days of preparation for the celebration of Easter, and God’s deep desire for us to draw ever closer to Him. And as I reflected upon this , I found my perspective adjusted when considering how best to navigate this year’s Lenten journey.

Like so many of us, I was brought up in a Church which focused on sacrifice; I need to “give something up” to honor God and emulate Jesus’ suffering from Ash Wednesday through Easter. However, over the years I have not experienced a great deal of peace or sanctification in this ritual of denial. So my approach has metamorphosed this year. Instead of asking myself what I should give up for Lent, I asked God for clarity as to what what He is calling me to do for these next several weeks, so I may draw nearer to Him and significantly honor the boundless love of Jesus.

In my quiet time with Him, I heard God call me be fearlessly generous (perhaps even crazy generous), over the course of Lent to touch hearts and help people in need of sustenance. He said Holy Spirit would guide me along this path. I would not have to strive or search people, all I needed to do was listen and open my eyes.

Let me tell you friends, God has shown himself so true over this past week! Holy Spirit said to me; “Why wait for Ash Wednesday”? Go ahead and do it now! So on Tuesday at lunchtime in downtown Chicago, there was a homeless man shaking a plastic soda cup for change. I felt moved in my heart to ask him if he was hungry, and offer to buy him a meal. At first he declined, but no matter. I obediently made the offer in love, and was at peace as I began to walk away. While I was crossing the street, I heard the man call to me and felt a tug on my sleeve. He asked for a cup of hot coffee ☕️. I said “sure” and we walked into 7-11. While in 7-11 I asked if he was positive he didn’t want something hot to eat, and perhaps a sweet treat. He took me up on both! And if that wasn’t enough, there was another man getting coffee and I was honored to buy his beverage as well. He thanked me, shook my hand, and proceeded to tell me how his assistance money was right and every little bit helps.

After the purchase, as I was saying goodbye, I looked into their grateful faces and found God smiling back at me. I was so deeply touched by and grateful for God’s love, guidance, and belief in me, I still had tears in my eyes 20 minutes later.

And even before then, one week ago today, there was a single mom with her son ahead of me at the checkout line at the market. She was counting change to pay for her groceries. I told her it would be my honor if she would allow me to pay her bill. She was so overcome with emotion that she hopped around her son and hugged me, a total stranger, with gratitude. Embarrassed at being caught up in the moment, she gathered herself, shook my hand and thanked me; saying this act of generosity came at the precise time it was needed. Her sweet son (standing next to her) was hungry and she had anxiety about buying the food, because money was running low. God was right there, I could feel Him inhabiting our interaction, looking at me through the eyes of this humble woman, warming and encouraging my spirit.

PLEASE BE CLEAR, I am NOT sharing this with you for “atta boys” or self-aggrandizement. I share this to encourage you to step out and consider being fearlessly generous (When prompted by God) this Lenten Season. I encourage you to be still and listen for God’s voice, which will silence the incessant whispers of fear, telling you to be afraid and hold back, because you do not have enough to share.

I tell you with conviction that God provides and you can trust there will be enough for you and yours. Think about it for a moment, God provided for 4 people (through me) over the past week! It was God blessing me with the means to help, and the people to love, I know it is not me. I am a disciple, a conduit for His love of humanity. And so are you.

PLEASE, if any of you have similar anecdotes, by all means share them on this post to encourage other people to step out in fearless generosity.

The other thing God has placed on my heart is to only have kind and blessing words come out of my mouth. To choose to speak love instead of judgment, criticism, impatience or disdain. To love all of God’s people with my words; speaking positivity into every relationship and situation; it doesn’t matter if our perspectives are divergent, my feathers are ruffled, or I am facing adversity.

Brothers and sisters, will you join me in eschewing road rage, dry, witty, or sarcastic put downs, social & political ravings, impatiently snapping at our children or barking at our significant others. From this moment forward (At least for Lent) when we open your mouths, love comes out.

And if you disagree or have a concern about something, challenge yourself to express your issue in a loving, patient manner. In my experience, volume and vitriol have never fostered a healthy conversation or forged an understanding. Trust between us erodes and the quality of our relationships greatly diminish when we are aggressive, unreasonable and unkind with the words we speak.

That’s all I have for now. I would love to hear your thoughts and perceptions on this post when you have a moment.

Love, blessings and warm regards to all of you and yours, Kevin

I saw a mother last week on tv crying out in anguish and frustration about the death of her son from senseless gun violence in California. She said she wanted no more “good thoughts and prayers”, she wanted action, real gun reform. It touched me deeply as I heard the pain permeating her spirit due to the tragic loss of her beloved child. I thought of all the prayerful emails and well-intentioned Facebook posts extending condolences and offering comfort, and how they rang hollow with this grieving mother. She is seeking significant change to promote justice for the inhuman act perpetuated upon her child by an individual with a gun.

As I meditate upon this issue, it raises a question I have about the posture of the hearts of the “right to bear arms” crusaders. It feels their hearts are mired in fear and selfishness about their own “rights”, personal circumstances and possessions, and not considering the bigger picture. It’s also obvious the gunsmiths, firearm, ammunition, and gun accessory manufacturers are deeply concerned about the economic ripple effects on their livelihood if there were to be some new strong and meaningful legislation which would limit accessibility to, acceptable type(s) allowed, and ownership of firearms were enacted on a national level.

I am not about trying to put anyone out of business, but as communities and nations, we have a responsibility to consider the greater good, even if it makes us uncomfortable or impacts us personally. I have heard all of the arguments about deficiencies in our mental health systems, and “I am a responsible gun owner and would never…”, and the political football of the 2nd amendment; all of which deflect from the real issue; more people are losing their lives due to gun violence every day.

We fight tooth and nail about taking any substantive action to preserve the sanctity of human life! Why is that? It makes no sense and is incredibly grieving that we fight so hard to preserve the right to have basically unfettered access to firearms and gloss over these mass murders. My heart cries out with the mother in California.

I believe our prayers of comfort and good wishes mean nothing if we are not prepared to do what needs to be done to show we value our people more than guns. In the face of all this loss of life, shouldn’t we be willing to make the process of gun ownership much more stringent and incorporate a mental health component to the process? Fixing our mental healthcare is a long cycle process, because those people fighting through their emotional and psychological issues have largely been discarded, ignored, and woefully underserved. However, we can push for legislative changes in the gun management, accessibility and ownership process now if we put our priorities in order. Keeping it real, this could could mean you are required to turn in any tactical weapons you own, and perhaps we do away with concealed carry permits, to move once again past the “wild west” mindset in service of a greater purpose. And,we no longer make either of those things accessible to the general public.

I fully realize I am baring my chest and painting a bullseye 🎯 for the ire, slings, arrows, criticism, and denigration by the gun rights supporters out there; many of you whom are my dear friends and acquaintances, but I can live with that.

We cannot continue to make the same arguments, take the same stances, stall, and do nothing any longer. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity, and our culture is infected with it. People continue to lose their lives each day, every week, year in and year out. How can we continue to defend the validity of an approach and ideology which is so obviously broken? How many more families must mourn the murders of loved ones before our hearts are wounded enough to generate movement?

I am not a naive “gun hater”, I am a lover of people, of life. I am a Christian man who believes walking out his faith means he must sometimes make hard choices which may require his discomfort and sacrifice in service of others and a higher purpose; to support an atmosphere of fearless generosity, love and justice.

While I may not be able to effect immediate change on a macro level, if my words and prayers resonate to promote growth and change in one spirit, if one person rejects the status quo and works to make a difference, I will be forever grateful, and glean great joy from the gift of that one heart.

Finally, please know this, no matter if we find ourselves with divergent perspectives and on opposite sides of an issue, I still love you, respect your right to have a perspective, and value your life.

With respect and deep regards,

Kevin

Words are incredibly powerful, and with their great power comes the responsibility to use them wisely, and with loving intentions. You see I believe words are meant to comfort, educate, encourage, guide, illuminate, inspire, build relationships, and elevate our quality of life.

All too often we see and hear the power of words wielded irresponsibly to advance selfish intentions through manipulation, to hurt & demean, to agitate, distract from & distort the truth, to express anger, prejudice & ignorance, to promote fear & paranoia, and to pass judgment. Used in this fashion, words discourage transparency & open discussion because the environment is not safe. Employed in this manner, words inflict people with deep heart wounds, divide families & communities, and poison cultures.

Rhetoric, witty banter, biting sarcasm and quick retorts have proven to be very seductive, considered clever and entertaining our society, a skill treasured by far too many. Embracing & propagating this manner of communication has numbed people so profoundly they ignore or dismiss acerbic tones, condescending postures, selfish, cruel and misguided intent. Individuals have also become entranced by the power of the microphone and the bully pulpit, drawn to volume, aggression, and their level of comfort with ideology instead of focusing on whether or not content of the message has true merit. We have seen words build bridges and unite people, and we have seen words start wars.

Which leads me back to my original question; How and for what are you using your words?

Are you using your words to acknowledge & welcome people, to provide comfort & support , to educate, articulate sincere empathy, and encourage? Are your words providing positive direction & motivation, showing respect, provoking thought & stimulating growth? Do they promote understanding, bring peace, and create joy?

Do you often or reflexively use your words to show anger, bias, bigotry & frustration? Do you regularly use your words to complain, criticize, demean, discourage, discredit, or express disdain? Do the words you say discriminate, diminish, dismiss, create distance from, or shame people? Do the thoughts you express stoke fear, ignite hatred, injure, insult, or judge?

Are you spending more time calling forth the best in people, or are you perpetually calling people out for their challenges, failures, shortcomings, and current or past mistakes?

Knowing when to speak, what words to use, your body language, facial expressions and tone of voice are critical to effective and healthy communication. I have found in my experience, how people behave in this regard is quite often a window through which we can see what they truly hold in their hearts. Having said this, poor and dysfunctional communication does not necessarily indicate evil or maliciousness in people, it can also provide a revelation of the pain & torment they carry inside.

In my heart, I only want to hold love, and if I am successful in doing so, only loving things will come out of my mouth. This not only applies to the people whom I hold dear, but especially to the people whom aren’t doing or haven’t necessarily done right by me over the course of my life. It’s easy to speak with kindness, tolerance and understanding about the people we love. It is a far greater test of our hearts to express love & respect for people with whom we disagree or have hurt us in some way.

I believe the key to holding only love in my heart for others is found in the amount of of love I keep in my heart for myself. How can I possibly be caring & loving to others with my thoughts & words if I have difficulty or cannot express love for myself? This is not a trite realization. I think we know there are millions of people out there (Some in our homes & families) who constantly repudiate themselves and consequently have difficulty staying positive in order to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships. Loving your neighbor as yourself truly begins here.

Our tongues were not meant for cursing people one moment and praising them the next. My brothers and sisters, our tongues, our words are meant to uplift and enlighten. Use your words well, employ them with love. And listen, truly listen to what other people are saying. Especially if it goes against the grain of your perspective or long held beliefs. We can disagree with dignity and respect. Remember, particularly in those situations where you may hold a divergent perspective, people are sharing their hearts with you, and that merits your love, respect, and sincere consideration.

There is great wisdom to be found in The Bible (James 3:1-12) and by many authors on how to use our words. I wholeheartedly encourage you to take some time to read and learn more about the significance of words and their impact on our world.

I close his entry with a request. Spend this week (one day at a time) in conscious effort to only have loving words come out of your mouth. And if you cannot find the loving words, SAY NOTHING. This means if you feel strongly about someone or a specific topic, or vehemently disagree with a behavior, certain course of action or perspective, you find a way to express it without any criticism, venom or negativity. And let’s up the ante a little bit, and take this effort a couple of steps further. Instead of expressing offense or complaining about something, offer positive ideas on how to make it better. And if you find you cannot offer anything constructive, then BE SILENT. No attacks, digs (subtle or overt), or rhetoric. Just be still.

Will you take up this mantle with me and we can share our progress and experiences over the course of next week? If you stumble and fall, no judgment or condemnation; get up, dust off, and start all over again! You can do it! I think we will have some amazing epiphanies, change some environments, and touch some hearts!

Thanks to my wife Karen for the heartfelt conversation and my dear friend George Siegal and his blog titled; “Did you really just say that?” on movetheworldfilms.org for the inspiration.

Questions:1. Do you spend more time trying to win debates/ arguments and prove yourself right, or do you expend more energy working to find common ground, create an atmosphere of understanding and build relationships?2. If someone is clearly incorrect or misinformed, do you ask them questions as to how they formulated their opinion, to promote thought and provide an opportunity for clarity & illumination, or do you beat them into submission with your facts?3. How much time do you spend getting riled up, complaining and becoming myopic, critical, judgmental and intransigent by repetitively watching, reading or listening to the news cycles, political pundits, or partisan rhetoric as opposed to investing time in your marriage, children, family members, friendships and community?4. Do you look at people patronizingly or with disdain if they espouse beliefs or a perspective different than your own?5. Can you listen and truly work to consider the merits of another perspective, or do you “tune out” or become “turned off” when something is presented outside of your box 📦?6. Do you use the words “conservative” or “liberal” like profanity or as a demeaning term? 7. Are you nervous, afraid or uncomfortable around people who are not of your ethnicity, cultural background, educational background, religious affiliation, or share your socioeconomic status? If so, why? 8. Are you readily able to admit you are wrong, take responsibility for your mistakes, accept the consequences of your poor choices, and humble yourself to ask forgiveness, or does pride get in the way? Thoughts? Feelings? Perceptions? Just askin’…

A dear friend and brother, Gil Salinas sent me a message earlier today saying “Happy 4th of July and all that it stands for.” The message got me thinking, “What does the 4th of July really stand for?” I know what it means to me, and I began to wonder what it means to all of you, my friends and family, and to the people across this great nation. Just then the phone rang and broke my reverie. It was my wife Karen calling and she asked, “Are you gonna write something about the 4th of July and what you believe in your heart it really means to our country?” I grinned and thought, “OK Lord, you don’t have to hit me over the head. I’ll get right on it.” So I thank you Gilbert for the inspiration, and I thank you beloved wife for being my muse.

Independence Day means so much more than a day off from work, parades, cookouts, fireworks and flags. It feels to me the true meaning of this day has been lost in reverie, ritual, and the fact that a significant portion of our fellow Americans embrace sadly limited & superficial views of what it means to be patriotic; polarized by politics and entrenched in rhetoric.

The spirit of America and the true meaning of the 4th of July is found in these impassioned and inspirational words written in the Declaration of Independence: “…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness…”

I also find great meaning in the inscription written at the base of one of our iconic monuments, the Statue of Liberty, which reads as follows; “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”

The words of The Declaration and at the base of Lady Liberty are simple and straightforward; written and spoken from the heart. And at the heart is where we should meet to appropriately celebrate the 4th of July.

As true patriots, I believe we should all embrace these words exactly as they were written, and apply them to our neighbors as vigorously as we do for ourselves. I believe as true patriots we should not evade, dismiss, spin or pervert these words into ideological/political rhetoric to be used to gain advantage, perpetuate iniquity, or secure our comfort zones. I believe as true patriots we need to walk these words out and not rest until all people receive justice and are treated equitably; with kindness, benevolence, and respect. Especially the tired, poor, huddled masses, and the “wretched refuse” who yearn to breathe free.

I love the United States of America. I feel blessed to have been born here and be able to enjoy the privileges & freedoms afforded us as citizens. I also realize as a citizen of this nation much has been given to me, to all of us, and with these rights comes the great responsibility to exercise them with empathy, love, generosity, and wisdom.

Independence Day to me means we have to be vigilant and afford all people the rights of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” “endowed by our Creator”, as outlined in our Declaration, which we honor and celebrate today.